Advent, Christmas & Epiphany

Resource Books

Out-of-print books may be found in libraries or the used book market.
Both Amazon and BookFinder.com are helpful sources.

Jesse Tree Books

• = some of our favorites

Let's Get Ready for Christmas: Advent Activities for Preschool Children

Anderson, Sandra Myhr
Augsburg Fortress, 1993

Bible stories and activities each week for 3-5 year-olds; themes for the weeks&mdash ;Let's Prepare,Let's Serve, Let's Give, Let's Celebrate

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• Families Celebrate Advent & Christmas

Augsburg Fortress
Augsburg Fortress, 2018
Minneapolis, Minnesota
$9.99

For families

Annual set of cards, one for each day of Advent through Christmas and Epiphany. Each one has a picture with text and activity on the back. Nice attractive option for families. Just use the cards when you can.

Purchase from amazon.com
Holly, Reindeer, and Colored Lights

Barth, Edna
Seabury Press
Houghton Mifflin, 1971, 1981
New York, New York

Traces the story and development of many Christmas symbols: Christmas star, Christmas tree, ornaments, plants, candles and lights, Yule log, Santa Claus, gifts, manger scenes, the three kings, angels, shepherds and creatures, feasting, bells and cards.

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The Lion Christmas Book: Stories, features and activities for all the family to enjoy

Batchelor, Mary
Lion Publishing, 1984

Stories, recipes, activities, and traditions—all nicely illustrated.

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• Teach Us to Number Our Days: A Liturgical Advent Calendar

Baumgarten, Barbara Dee
Morehouse Publishing, 1999

Lots of background information with designs and instructions for making a custom Advent calendar out of either paper, felt no-sew, or fabric; includes biblical characters, saints, and more.

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• The Christmas Craft Book

Berger, Thomas
Floris Books, 1990, 2011
New edition: reorganized, larger format
All craft projects except pentagonal stars (3 pages) are included in Crafts through the Year by Thomas and Petra Berger

Many beautiful craft ideas, with color photos and directions. Candles, Advent calendars, wreathes, angels, stars and more. Most require careful preparation, but the results are more than worth the effort.

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Window Stars: Making folded stars from colored papers

Berger, Thomas
Floris Books, 1996

Detailed instructions for making 29 different stars—super for Epiphany!

Purchase from amazon.com
• The Christmas Craft Book

Berger, Thomas
Floris Books, 1990
Available in new edition, see above

Many beautiful craft ideas, with color photos and directions. Candles, Advent calendars, wreathes, angels, stars and more. Most require careful preparation, but the results are more than worth the effort.

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• Come, Lord Jesus: Devotions for the Home—Advent/Christmas/Epiphany

Briehl, Susan
Augsburg Fortress, 1996

Inviting book has a meditation, song, poem, and three prayers (one each for the week, mealtime, and children) for each week and festival day along with almost daily scripture readings and holiday customs from around the world. Simple suggestions to help families build meaningful traditions.

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An Advent Book of Days: Meeting the Characters of Christmas

Cameron, Gregory Kenneth
Paraclete Press; Canterbury Press (UK), 2021
Brewster, Massachusetts; Norwich, England

Adult

Each day introduces one of the season's characters—some familiar and some not so much. The author draws on Scripture, history, legend, and faith to present each one with an original illustration. A rich companion in Advent.

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• The Sugar-Plum Christmas Book

Chapman, Jean
Hodder and Stoughton, 1977, 1982

Elementary age and up

A nicely illustrated anthology of story, song, background information and craft ideas, too.

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• The Advent Craft and Activity Book: Stories, crafts, recipes and poems for the Christmas season

Dhom, Christel
Floris Books, 2012

Beautiful book with a story or poem, craft and recipe from Germany for each day of Advent, plus New Year's and Epiphany.

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The Gift of Time: Family Celebrations and Activities for Advent, Christmas and Epiphany

Ehlen-Miller, Margaret and Robert Miller, Loretta VanderVeen, Carl VanderVeen
Morehouse-Barlow Co., 1977

A wealth of ideas for the three seasons.
O Wisdom: Advent Devotions on the Names of Jesus

Forward Movement
2018

Reflections on the O Antiphons for all the days of Advent through the Epiphany.

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Advent, Christmas& Epiphany in the Domestic Church

Fournier, Catherine and Peter
Domestic Church Communications Ltd., 2000
Waba, Ontario, Canada

A wealth of family activities, saints of the seasons, crafts and coloring pages for the three seasons.

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Things to Make & Do for Advent & Christmas: Creative Activities for Children's Ministry

Gee, Martha
Bridge Resources, 1997
Louisville, Kentucky

Detailed, easy-to-understand instructions for many activities to help children understand the real Christmas story.

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• Celebrating Christmas: Sparkling traditions to make your own

Goodings, Christina
Lion Publishing, 1998

This is a simply stunning book with an especially nice Advent star spiral. Activities, stories and more with beautiful large photographs.

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Advent Arts and Christmas Crafts: with Prayers and Rituals for Family, School and Church

Heiberg, Jeanne
Paulist Press, 1995

Step-by-step instructions for making unusually attractive craft projects. Advent wreaths, calendars, ornaments, Jesse trees, crèches, mobiles, and Epiphany crowns and stars are all included. If you are willing to do exacto-knife cutting, the Advent calendar alone is worth the price of the book. Blessings, songs, prayers, rituals, and party suggestions are offered to accompany the completed projects.

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• 24 Christmas Stories to Welcome Jesus

Ignatius Press
2011

Twenty-four stories for the days of Advent; nicely illustrated fresh retelling of biblical and saints' stories, with modern and a few classic tales. Originally from France.

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Advent for Children

Jaffke, Freya
Floris Books, 1983

Activities to help families prepare for Christmas—calendars, stars, candles, transparencies and more; very European. Some black /white drawings.

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Advent 2014: 24 Coloring Pages & Activities

Jarski, Veronica
The Paper Dali Shop, 2014
Digital book to print

Coloring pages and activities for Advent, the Sundays, Advent saints and more

Purchase from The Paper Dali — Etsy
These Twelve Days: A Family Guide to After-Christmas Celebrations

Kasperson, James and Marina D. Lachecki
United Church Press, 1999
Cleveland, Ohio

A scripture passage, story, background on tradition, and suggestions for family activities are offered for each of the twelve days of the Christmas season, including Epiphany. There is lots to choose among.
'Twas the Month Before Christmas

King, Martha H.
Morehouse Publishing, 1999

Coloring and activity book with crafts, puzzles and word games for all three seasons; at least one coloring page for each day.

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What We Do in Advent: An Anglican Kids' Activity Book

Kitch, Anne E.
Morehouse Publishing, 2006
Ages 4 - 8

38 one-page activities (puzzles, color-by-number, word finds, mazes, etc) for the weeks of Advent and Christmas help children understand the symbols and meaning of the seasons. Parent guide included. St. Nicholas has a page, too.

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• The Season of the Nativity: Confessions and Practices of an Advent, Christmas & Epiphany Extremist

MacBeth, Sybil
Paraclete Press, 2014
Brewster, Massachusetts

Delightful introduction to the Nativity seasons offering many ideas for deeper understanding and practice. Good for both novice and those already enmeshed in the Liturgical Year. Practical and engaging--highly recommended.

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• Advent Chain of Stars: Devotions and Activities for the Family

Martin, Herbert; Marie Luise von Bronk, illustrator
Augsburg Publishing House, 1968
When purchasing on the secondary market, be certain that the sheet of stars is included.

This delightful little book follows the ancient Advent texts for each week: Advent to the World; Advent of the King; Advent for the Heart; Advent in the Light. Each week has a hymn and each day a Bible verse and reflection. The book comes with a separate sheet inside the back cover that unfolds with a large image for each Sunday and 56 stars to cut out and make into an Advent chain of 28 stars—images on one side and numerals on the other.

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Winter: Celebrating the Season in a Christian Home

Mazar, Peter
Liturgy Training Publications, 1996

Colorful, do-it-yourself ideas for anyone wishing to celebrate the holidays with Christian traditions which honor the waiting days of Advent, the rejoicing days of Christmas, and the celebrating days of Epiphany. New ways to think about this time, trees, gift-giving, nativities, and celebration. A wonderful resource for seasonal planners; a good addition to a church library.

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Customs of Christmas: 12 Full-color Paper Ornaments

Mickelson, Melva
Augsburg Fortress, 1990

Dimensional paper ornaments to punch out: Advent wreath, Posadas, St. Nicholas, Birds' Christmas, Baboushka, Christkind angel, Presepio, Nisse, English traditions, Wise Men, Piñata and cradle rocking.

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• Build Your Own Bethlehem: A Nativity Scene and Activity Book for Christmastime

Nelson, Gertrud Mueller & Peter Mazar
Liturgy Training Publications, 2002
Chicago, Illinois

Here are all the Nativity characters, plus many sheep, doves and other accessories, ready to punch out; quality printed on heavy stock, with suggestions for building "Bethlehem" from the middle of December through Candlemas. Stories included.

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• An Advent Sourcebook

O'Gorman, Thomas, ed.
Liturgy Training Publications, 1988

Rich resource for both worship preparation and private devotion with texts from Scripture and poetry, hymns and homilies, letters and fiction, folklore and liturgy.

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Before and After Christmas: Activities and Ideas for Advent and Epiphany

O'Neal, Debbie Trafton
Augsburg Fortress, 1991
There is a new edition, 2001, available for Kindle

History and traditions of the Advent and Christmas seasons. Activity suggestions (Jesse Tree, St. Nicholas, St. Lucia, etc.) and Bible verse for each day. Pleasant full-color illustrations. A wealth of ideas.

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Christmas is Coming! 16 fun things to make

O'Neal, Debbie Trafton
John Hunt Ltd, 1993

16 projects to cut-out, including an Advent calendar, 12 days of Christmas chain, gift tags and more; printed on heavy card stock.

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101 Things to do for Christmas

O'Neal, Debbie Trafton
Augsburg Fortress, 1995
Available as Kindle edition, too

Large collection of projects for telling the seasonal story, gifts, wrapping, tree trimming, cards, recipes and more

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Family Countdown to Christmas: A Day-by-Day Celebration

O'Neal, Debbie Trafton
Augsburg Fortress, 1998

Crafts, activities, and facts for every day through Epiphany. Includes stickers for each day which form a picture.

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God with Us: Rediscovering the Meaning of Christmas

Pennoyer, Gred and Gregory Wolfe, editors
Paraclete Press, Brewster, Massachusetts, 2007
Sections by Scott Cairns, Emilie Griffin, Richard John Neuhaus, Kathleen Norris, Eugene Peterson and Luci Shaw

Daily meditations, scripture, prayer for each day in Advent through Epiphany.

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Wait in Joyful Hope: Traditions— Celebrations— Activities for Advent and Christmas

Reilly, Mary V., Margaret K. Wetterer and Nancy K. Lyons
Morehouse-Barlow Co., 1980

Four crafts each for Jesse Trees and nativity scenes, with patterns, history and background.

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Christmas Make & Bake: Fun craft and cooking ideas for a creative Christmas

Relph, Ingeborg
Lion Publishing, 1993

Nice little book with craft and cooking ideas—clear instructions and nice illustrations; many ideas for things to make and give.

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First Festivals: Christmas—Crafts, STories, Carols

Rock, Lois
Lion Publishing, 1999;, Concordia, 2001

Beautiful book with many ideas for attractive activities, crafts, and stories.

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Christmas Deck the Tree: Decorations, gifts and food to put joy into your Christmas

Rock, Lois
Lion Publishing, 1995

Simple ideas for ornaments, other decorations and more—with a story and recipes, too.

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Celebrating Advent and Christmas with Children: Food Celebrations with the Saints for Home and School

Rooney, Colleen
CreateSpace Independent Publishing Company, 2013

Recipes, traditional and modern, and lessons for all the saints of Advent and Christmas; background information, recipes and material for other seasonal traditions; 6 recipes for St. Nicholas and a lesson, too

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Celebrate While We Wait

Schroeder, Linda
Concordia Publishing House, 1977

Early Advent family resource book; devotions for Advent and Christmas are lengthy; instructions for an Advent log, wreath and more. Click for image of log

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Creative Christmas: Simple Crafts from Many Lands

Shoemaker, Kathryn
Winston Press, 1978

All kinds of crafts made from simple materials, especially emphasizing Latin America, Scandinavia, Early America and a section devoted to edible decorations.

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• A Christmas Sourcebook

Simcoe, Mary Ann, ed.
Liturgy Training Publications, 1984

Rich resource for both worship preparation and private devotion with texts from Scripture and poetry, hymns and homilies, letters and fiction, folklore and liturgy; Christmas Eve through Baptism of our Lord.

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An Advent Event: A Worship service and activity program for teaching about Advent

Skelly, Herbert and Margaret
Morehouse-Barlow Co., 1973

Complete directions for a comprehensive Advent event, introducing the Advent wreath, Jesse Tree and St. Nicholas with background information and, crafts and activities.

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How About Advent! November 15—December 25

Speier, Kurt and John Finley
Orthodox Christian Education Committee, 1991
Yonkers, New York

Readings and activities form a calendar for the days of Advent, using an Advent wreath or chain with background information

Purchase from Orthodox Christian Education Commission
The Bethlehem Tree: A family resource book for Advent

Tietjen, Mary Louise
Paulist Press, 1976

Eleven symbols—Christmas tree, peace, wheat, carpenter's tool, mother's sign, angel, shepherd's crook, three crowns, star, gifts and sun— with suggestions for something to talk about, something to read and something do for each one.

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Festive Cookies of Christmas: A Treasury of old traditions, recipes and lore of the Christmas Season

Voth, Norma Jost
Herald Press, 1982
Scottsdale, Pennsylvania

Many cookie recipes from around the world, with information on customs, too.
Peppernuts: Plain and Fancy, a Christmas tradition from Grandmother's oven

Voth, Norma Jost
Herald Press, 1978
Scottsdale, Pennsylvania

26 recipes for peppernuts, many traditional from a Russia, Germany and more. Peppernuts (pepernoten) are a traditional Sinterklaas food in the Netherlands, though none of these recipes are identified as Dutch.
Festive Breads of Christmas: A treasury of old traditions, recipes, and lore of the Christmas season

Voth, Norma Jost
Herald Press, 1983
Scottsdale, Pennsylvania

Traditional Christmas breads from Alsace, Czech, Netherlands, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Poland, Scandinavia, Switzerland and Ukraine; more from the US,including Mennonite and Moravian. Sweet illustrations and a lot of seasonal information and traditions.
Festive Cakes of Christmas: A Treasury of old traditions, recipes and lore of the Christmas Season

Voth, Norma Jost
Herald Press, 1983
Scottsdale, Pennsylvania

Traditional Christmas cakes from Austria, Denmark, England, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Ireland, Mexico, Poland and Ukraine. Cakes from America include Amish, Moravian and Shaker. Delightfully illustrated with information on traditions an customs.
• Were They Wise Men or Kings? The Book of Christmas Questions

Walsh, Joseph J.
Westminster John Knox, 2001

Excellent resource, careful research; explains what is behind Christmas traditions and answers common questions with rare clarity and verve; good for older children and adults

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JESSE TREE BOOKS

Jesse Tree Devotions

Breckenridge, Marilyn S.
Augsburg Fortress, 1985

Symbol to cut out, reading, and short prayer for each day; large poster included.

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Jesse Tree Kit: Ornaments for Tree and Poster

Daughters of St. Paul
Pauline Books & Media, 1983

Heavy stock to cut-out and make 3-D ornaments of circles to put on a poster

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Let's Make a Jesse Tree: 26 Full-size Patterns

James, Darcy
Abingdon Press, 1987

Instructions for a felt Jesse Tree Advent calendar with simple stitching and velcro. Bible readings tell the long story of God's love. All ages.

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Advent Stories and Activities: Meeting Jesus through the Jesse Tree

Neugerger, Anne
Twenty-third Publications, 1997

Offers 24 ancient stories and symbols from creation to the nativity to mark the days. Includes directions for creating seven different types of Jesse trees.

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Jesse Tree Kit: An Advent Project for Family, Classroom, or Parish

Simms, Lynn M. and Betsy Walter
Pauline Books & Media, 1998, 2006
Boston, Massachusetts, USA

28 2-sided ornaments ready to cut-out and decorate; suggestions for use on either branches or an included poster. Prayer for each week and scripture and brief explanation for each ornament.

Purchase from amazon.com

More Books About St. Nicholas

Basic Books about St. Nicholas
Picture Books for Younger Children (and all ages)
Picture Books for Older Children
Books for Older Children
Saints Books for Adults
Saints Books for Children
Activity & Resource Books
Christmas Books with St. Nicholas
Related Books
Books in Other Languages
Children's Books in Other Languages
Digital Media

Books for the Church Year and more

Church Year General Resource Book s
Advent, Christmas & Epiphany Resource Books
Lent, Easter & Pentecost Resource Books
Children's Books
Church Year & Holiday Cycle Books
Advent, Christmas & Epiphany Books
Spring & Easter Books
Story Bibles for Children
Other Children's Books about God and Faith
Books of Prayers

Advent, Christmas & Epiphany

Resource Books

Let's Get Ready for Christmas: Advent Activities for Preschool Children

• Families Celebrate Advent & Christmas

Holly, Reindeer, and Colored Lights

The Lion Christmas Book: Stories, features and activities for all the family to enjoy

• Teach Us to Number Our Days: A Liturgical Advent Calendar

• The Christmas Craft Book

Window Stars: Making folded stars from colored papers

• The Christmas Craft Book

• Come, Lord Jesus: Devotions for the Home—Advent/Christmas/Epiphany

An Advent Book of Days: Meeting the Characters of Christmas

• The Sugar-Plum Christmas Book

• The Advent Craft and Activity Book: Stories, crafts, recipes and poems for the Christmas season

The Gift of Time: Family Celebrations and Activities for Advent, Christmas and Epiphany

O Wisdom: Advent Devotions on the Names of Jesus

Advent, Christmas& Epiphany in the Domestic Church

Things to Make & Do for Advent & Christmas: Creative Activities for Children's Ministry

• Celebrating Christmas: Sparkling traditions to make your own

Advent Arts and Christmas Crafts: with Prayers and Rituals for Family, School and Church

• 24 Christmas Stories to Welcome Jesus

Advent for Children

Advent 2014: 24 Coloring Pages & Activities

These Twelve Days: A Family Guide to After-Christmas Celebrations

'Twas the Month Before Christmas

What We Do in Advent: An Anglican Kids' Activity Book

• The Season of the Nativity: Confessions and Practices of an Advent, Christmas & Epiphany Extremist

• Advent Chain of Stars: Devotions and Activities for the Family

Winter: Celebrating the Season in a Christian Home

Customs of Christmas: 12 Full-color Paper Ornaments

• Build Your Own Bethlehem: A Nativity Scene and Activity Book for Christmastime

• An Advent Sourcebook

Before and After Christmas: Activities and Ideas for Advent and Epiphany

Christmas is Coming! 16 fun things to make

101 Things to do for Christmas

Family Countdown to Christmas: A Day-by-Day Celebration

God with Us: Rediscovering the Meaning of Christmas

Wait in Joyful Hope: Traditions— Celebrations— Activities for Advent and Christmas

Christmas Make & Bake: Fun craft and cooking ideas for a creative Christmas

First Festivals: Christmas—Crafts, STories, Carols

Christmas Deck the Tree: Decorations, gifts and food to put joy into your Christmas

Celebrating Advent and Christmas with Children: Food Celebrations with the Saints for Home and School

Celebrate While We Wait

Creative Christmas: Simple Crafts from Many Lands

• A Christmas Sourcebook

An Advent Event: A Worship service and activity program for teaching about Advent

How About Advent! November 15—December 25

The Bethlehem Tree: A family resource book for Advent

Festive Cookies of Christmas: A Treasury of old traditions, recipes and lore of the Christmas Season

Peppernuts: Plain and Fancy, a Christmas tradition from Grandmother's oven

Festive Breads of Christmas: A treasury of old traditions, recipes, and lore of the Christmas season

Festive Cakes of Christmas: A Treasury of old traditions, recipes and lore of the Christmas Season

• Were They Wise Men or Kings? The Book of Christmas Questions

Jesse Tree Devotions

Jesse Tree Kit: Ornaments for Tree and Poster

Let's Make a Jesse Tree: 26 Full-size Patterns

Advent Stories and Activities: Meeting Jesus through the Jesse Tree

Jesse Tree Kit: An Advent Project for Family, Classroom, or Parish